Blister tray with a package for a small device

ABSTRACT

A kit is disclosed which includes a blister tray and a package for a small device insertable within the blister tray. The blister tray has at least one medical device contained therein. The package includes a pair of end flaps engageable with the medical device such that the medical device, contained within the blister tray, inhibits the removal of the package from the blister tray. A plurality of openings is provided in the package and cooperates with each other to form a receptacle for a medical device, such as a vessel inverter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a blister tray that contains apackage for a small device, and more specifically to a blister tray thatcontains a package for a small device for use in a kit containingmedical devices. As used herein, the term “medical device” includes amedical or surgical device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Medical devices are typically packaged in kits containing one ormore medical devices. Conventionally, a kit contains a tray whichincludes recesses sized and shaped to receive medical devices. After atray is formed with the appropriate recesses for the medical devices, itis very difficult and expensive to add or to make changes to the formedtray such that an additional small device can be incorporated therein.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a package that can hold asmall device to be incorporated into a formed tray, that can be easilyassembled, and that can be easily arranged into the formed tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, a kit is disclosedwhich includes a blister tray having a first medical device containedtherein and a package for a small device sized and shaped to beinsertable within the blister tray. The package for a small deviceincludes a portion engageable with the first medical device such thatthe first medical device inhibits the removal of the package from theblister tray.

[0005] In one embodiment, the package is made from a planar sheet. Thepackage includes a first foldable panel that has first and second foldlines. The second fold line is positioned on one side of the first foldline. The package further includes a main section and a center section.The main section is positioned on an opposite side of the first foldline, while the center section is positioned between the first andsecond fold lines. The first main section has a first slit that forms aretaining portion moveable such that the retaining portion extendsoutwardly from the main section. When the retaining portion extendsoutwardly from the main section, a first opening is formed in the firstpanel. The first main section also has a second slit that forms a firstbase moveable such that the first base extends outwardly from one sideof the first panel. When the first base extends outwardly from one sideof the first panel, a second opening is formed in the first panel. Thecenter section has a third slit that forms a second base moveable suchthat the second base extends outwardly from one side of the first panel.When the second base extends outwardly from one side of the first panel,a third opening is formed in the first panel. The first and secondopenings align with each other when the first panel is folded about thefirst fold line such that the first base is adjacent to the second base.The first, second, and third openings cooperate with each other, whenthe first and second openings are aligned with each other, to form areceptacle for a medical device.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the present invention will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplaryembodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blister tray, shown with ablister card and a device package, all of which are constructed inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blister card illustrated in FIG.1;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the blister tray of FIG. 1,taken along section line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

[0011]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the blister tray of FIG. 1,illustrated without medical devices and with a cover;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blank used to produce the devicepackage illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device package assembled fromthe blank illustrated in FIG. 5, without a medical device;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 6, except thatthe device package is with a medical device in the form of a vesselinverter;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the blister tray of FIG. 1,taken along section line 8-8 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a blister card constructed inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a blister tray, shown with theblister card of FIG. 9; and

[0018]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the blister tray of FIG. 10,taken along section line 10-10 and looking in the direction of thearrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a blister tray 10 sized and shaped to receive aplurality of medical devices 12 a-c, each of which includes a handle 14a-c, respectively, and an elongated shaft 16 a-c extending from thehandle 14 a-c. Further, the blister tray 10 is sized and shaped toreceive a blister card 18 and a package 20 which contains a vesselinverter 22.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the blister tray 10 includes an outerperipheral rim 24, an inner peripheral ledge 26, and an innercompartment 28 having a base 30. The blister tray 10 also has twolateral sides 32 a-b and two longitudinal sides 34 a-b, each of whichextends upwardly from the base 30. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the medicaldevices 12 a-c extend in parallel fashion with respect to each other andto the longitudinal sides 34 a-b of the blister tray 10.

[0021] Still referring to FIG. 1, two sets of outwardly extendingprominences 36 a-d, 38 a-d divide the blister tray 10 into a pluralityof compartments, each of which is defined by recesses 40 a-c (see FIG.4), respectively, and each of which extend laterally between thelongitudinal sides 34 a-b of the blister tray 10. A groove 42 a (seeFIG. 4) is formed between an adjacent pair of prominences 36 a-b, whilea groove 42 b (see FIG. 4) is formed between an adjacent pair ofprominences 36 b-c. Also, a groove 42 c (see FIG. 4) is formed betweenan adjacent pair of prominences 36 c-d. A groove 44 a (see FIG. 4) isformed between an adjacent pair of prominences 38 a-b, while a groove 44b (see FIG. 4) is formed between an adjacent pair of prominences 38 b-c.Also, a groove 44 c (see FIG. 4) is formed between an adjacent pair ofprominences 38 c-d. The grooves 42 a-c, 44 a-c formed between eachadjacent prominence 36 a-d, 38 a-d, respectively, are alignedlongitudinally such that the groove 42 a is aligned with the groove 44a, the groove 42 b is aligned with the groove 44 b, and the groove 42 cis aligned with the groove 44 c. In this manner, the grooves 42 a, 44 acooperate to receive two portions of the elongated shaft 16a of themedical device 12 a, the grooves 42 b, 44 b cooperate to receive twoportions of the elongated shaft 16 b of the medical device 12 b, whilethe grooves 42 c, 44 c cooperate to receive two portions of theelongated shaft 16 c of the medical device 12 c.

[0022] Although the blister card 18 and the device package 20 can beinserted into other blister trays, the blister card 18 and the devicepackage 20 are described for use within the blister tray 10. It shouldbe understood, however, that the foregoing description of the blistertray 10 is only meant to be illustrative of one type of blister tray andis not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 shows the blister card 18 in an unfolded state prior tobeing assembled and placed within the blister tray 10. The blister card18 includes a main panel 46 and a retaining panel 48 connected thereto.The main panel 46 is subdivided into a front panel 50 and a back panel52. More particularly, the front panel 50 is connected to the back panel52 at a first fold line 54 along one edge 55 of the front panel 50, andto the retaining panel 48 at a second fold line 56 along an oppositeedge 58 of the front panel 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 50may be selected to have an approximate length d₁ measured between theopposing edges 55, 58 of the front panel 50.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the back panel 52 has an edge 59adjacent the first fold line 54 and an opposite edge 60 defined by apair of tabs 61 positioned distal to the first fold line 54. The tabs 61are separated by an opening 62 which has a width that is larger thanthat of the retaining panel 48 so as to allow the retaining panel 48 toextend between the tabs 61. As described in further detail hereinafter,the tabs 61 are sized and shaped to bias the main panel 46 toward theblister tray 10 after the blister card 18 is inserted therewith. Stillreferring to FIG. 2, the back panel 52 may be selected to have anapproximate length d₂ measured between the edge 59 and the opening 62 ofthe back panel 52, while the back panel 52 may be selected to have anapproximate length d₃ measured between the opposing edges 59, 60 of theback panel 52. Each of the lengths d₁, d₂, d₃ has a value, such thatd₃>d₁>d₂.

[0025] The main panel 46 of the blister card 18 includes graphics and/orindicia 66 printed thereon for aiding and serving as a quick reminder tomedical personnel on how to perform one or more common tasks pertainingto the medical devices 12 a-c (see FIG. 1) contained in the blister tray10 (see FIG. 1). For instance, the graphics and/or indicia 66 caninclude a simplified representation of how the medical devices 12 a-cshould be assembled. Alternatively, the graphics and/or indicia 66 caninclude a warning that functions to remind medical personnel on one ormore hazards relating to the medical devices 12 a-c contained in theblister tray 10.

[0026] Still referring to FIG. 2, the retaining panel 48 is subdividedinto a long panel 68 and a flap 70. More particularly, the long panel 68is connected to the front panel 50 at the second fold line 56 along oneedge 71 of the long panel 68, and to the flap 70 at a third fold line 72along an opposite edge 73 of the long panel 68. The retaining panel 48is sized and shaped to extend between the tabs 61 and through theopening 62 of the back panel 52 when the front panel 50 and the backpanel 52 are folded about the first fold line 54, and the retainingpanel 48 is folded about the second fold line 56. The flap 70 has anedge 74 adjacent the third fold line 72 and an opposite edge 75positioned distal to the third fold line 72.

[0027] The following description will describe the insertion of theblister card 18 within the blister tray 10 as shown in FIG. 3.Initially, the front panel 50 and the back panel 52 are folded towardeach other such that the edge 58 of the front panel 50 abuts a portionof the back panel 52 that is between the opening 62 and the edge 60 ofthe back panel 52. The front panel 50 and the back panel 52 are foldedso as to reduce the length of the blister card 18, thereby reducingspace.

[0028] Next, the blister card 18 is inserted in the recess 40 b withinthe blister tray 10 by extending the retaining panel 48 between the tabs61 and through the opening 62 of the back panel 52 and positioning theretaining panel 48 below the medical devices 12 a-b such that the flap70 extends beyond the medical device 12 b in a direction away from thelongitudinal side 34 a of the blister tray 10. The front panel 50 andthe back panel 52 are positioned directly above the medical devices 12a-b such that the tabs 61 of the back panel 52 are positioned adjacentthe outer peripheral rim 24 and on the inner peripheral ledge 26 of theblister tray 10. In this position, the front panel 50 and the back panel52 cover a portion of the recess 40 b formed in the blister tray 10. Therelative position of the front panel 50, the back panel 52, and themedical devices 12 a-c is illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be noted thatthe front panel 50 is positioned directly above the back panel 52.Lastly, the flap 70 of the retaining panel 48 is folded about the thirdfold line 72.

[0029] After the blister card 18 is inserted within the blister tray 10,the tabs 61 of the back panel 52 function to hold the blister card 18 ina planar orientation relative to the blister tray 10, while also biasingthe main panel 46 toward the blister tray 10. The tabs 61 also preventthe main panel 46 from pivoting about the second fold line 56 formedbetween the retaining panel 48 and the front panel 50. The retainingpanel 48 functions to hold the blister card 18 in place within theblister tray 10 until the blister card 18 is physically removedtherefrom, while also biasing the main panel 46 toward the blister tray10. Further, the flap 70 functions as an anchor for the blister card 18so as to hold the blister card 18 firmly in place within the blistertray 10 in instances when the blister tray 10 is accidentally titled orinverted.

[0030]FIG. 4 shows a kit 76 that includes the blister tray 10 and acover 77 therefor. To facilitate consideration and discussion, themedical devices 12 a-c (see FIG. 1) are not shown in FIG. 4. The kit 76also includes a kit package 78 (shown schematically) disclosed incommonly owned copending application Ser. No. ______, entitled, “KitPackage for Small Multiple Devices”, docket number ETH-1610, and filedcontemporaneously herewith. The present invention is also related tocommonly owned copending application Ser. No. ______ , entitled,“Blister Tray With A Blister Card”, docket number ETH-1608, and filedcontemporaneously herewith. Both of these related applications areincorporated herein by reference.

[0031] It should be appreciated that the blister card 18 providesnumerous advantages. For instance, the blister card 18 can quickly andeasily be inserted within the blister tray 10. The blister card 18 istypically made from paper that has sufficient stiffness to hold it inplace within the blister tray 10. Alternatively, the blister card 18 canbe constructed of any relatively stiff card-like material, includingpaperboard, plastic, etc. Adhesives or any other locking means are notrequired to anchor the blister card 18 to the blister tray 10. Theblister card 18 does not require any special area, pocket, or locks tohold it in place in the blister tray 10. Also, the blister card 18 doesnot have to be attached to the blister tray 10.

[0032]FIG. 5 shows a blank used to produce the device package 20 inaccordance with the present invention. The device package 20 includes adevice holding panel 79 and a finger holding area 80 connected thereto.The device holding panel 79 is subdivided into a main section 82, acenter section 84, and an anchor section 86. More particularly, thecenter section 84 is defined by a pair of fold lines 88 a-b such thatthe center section 84 is connected to the main section 82 at the foldline 88 a along one edge 89 a of the center section 84, and to theanchor section 86 at the fold line 88 b along an opposite edge 89 b ofthe center section 84.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the main section 82 is connected to thefinger holding area 80 along a distal edge 90 of the main section 82relative to the fold line 88 a. The main section 82 includes a firstU-shaped slit 92 that forms an arcuate-shaped flange retaining portion94 (see FIG. 6) sized and shaped to extend outwardly relative to themain section 82. When the flange retaining portion 94 extends outwardlyrelative to the main section 82, a first opening 96 (see FIG. 6) isformed in the main section 82. Also, the main section 82 includes asecond U-shaped slit 98 that forms a first base 100 (see FIG. 6) sizedand shaped to extend outwardly relative to the main section 82. When thefirst base 100 extends outwardly relative to the main section 82, asecond opening 102 (see FIG. 6) is formed in the main section 82. Theflange retaining portion 94 is connected to the first base 100 such thatthe first base 100 is resiliently hinged from the flange retainingportion 94. When the flange retaining portion 94 and the first base 100extend outwardly relative to the main section 82, the flange retainingportion 94 extends in one direction toward the finger holding area 80,and the first base 100 extends in an opposite direction toward theanchor section 86.

[0034] Still referring to FIG. 5, the center section 84 includes a thirdslit 104 that forms a second base 106 (see FIG. 6) sized and shaped toextend outwardly relative to the center section 84. When the second base106 extends outwardly relative to the center section 84, a third opening108 (see FIG. 6) is formed in the center section 84. The second base 106of the center section 84 is sized and shaped to extend toward the firstbase 100 of the main section 82.

[0035] The anchor section 86 has an inwardly curved distal edge 110relative to the fold line 88 b. The distal edge 110 is inwardly curvedso as to reduce the length of the anchor section 86, thereby reducingspace. A pair of end flaps 112 is included in the anchor section 86 andis positioned adjacent to the distal edge 110 thereof. The end flaps 112are sized and shaped to anchor the device package 20 in place within theblister tray 10 (see FIG. 1) as described in further detail hereinafter.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 5, the finger holding area 80 issubdivided into a holding tab 114 and a foldable section 116. Moreparticularly, the foldable section 116 is defined by a pair of foldlines 118 a-b such that the foldable section 116 is connected to theholding tab 114 at the fold line 118 a along one edge 119 a of thefoldable section 116, and to the main section 82 of the device holdingpanel 79 at the fold line 118 b along an opposite edge 119 b of thefoldable section 116. The holding tab 114 is sized and shaped so as toallow medical personnel to grasp the device package 20.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 7, the device package 20 is sized andshaped to hold the small vessel inverter 22. The vessel inverter 22includes a flange 120, an elongated shaft 122 extending therefrom, and atip portion 124 extending from the elongated shaft 122.

[0038] The following description will describe the insertion of thevessel inverter 22 into the device package 20 and then the insertion ofthe device package 20 with the vessel inverter 22 within the blistertray 10 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Initially, the center section 84 of thedevice holding panel 79 is folded about the fold lines 88 a-b such thatthe center section 84 is at an angle relative to the main section 82 andto the anchor section 86 and such that the main section 82 and theanchor section 86 are extended in opposing directions. Then, thefoldable section 116 is folded about the fold lines 118 a-b such thatthe foldable section 116 is at an angle relative to the device holdingpanel 79 and to the holding tab 114 and such that the holding tab 114 isextended toward the device holding panel 79.

[0039] The flange retaining portion 94, the first base 100, and thesecond base 106 are then extended outwardly such that the first, second,and third openings 96, 102, 108 are formed, respectively. In thisposition, the first base 100 is adjacent to the second base 106. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the tip portion 124 and the elongated shaft 122of the vessel inverter 22 are inserted through the second opening 102such that the elongated shaft 122 of the vessel inverter 22 is retainedcooperatively by the first base 100 and the second base 106. The tipportion 124 of the vessel inverter 22 is further inserted through thethird opening 108 such that the tip portion 124 of the vessel inverter22 is positioned on top of the anchor section 86. After the tip portion124 of the vessel inverter 22 is extended through the third opening 108,the flange 120 of the vessel inverter 22 is retained by the flangeretaining portion 94 of the device package 20 so as to lock the vesselinverter 22 therein.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 1, the device package 20 is inserted inthe recess 40 b (see FIG. 4) in the blister tray 10 after the vesselinverter 22 is inserted into the device package 20. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the device package 20 is positioned below the medical device 12c such that the end flaps 112 extend beyond the medical device 12 c in adirection away from the longitudinal side 34 b of the blister tray 10.In this position, the foldable section 116 of the device package 20 isplaced adjacent to the longitudinal side 34 b of the blister tray 10. Itshould be noted that the recess 40 b of the blister tray 10 hassufficient space to allow the device package 20 and the blister card 18to be inserted therein.

[0041] After the device package 20 is inserted within the blister tray10, the end flaps 112 are folded upward. The end flaps 112 allow themedical device 12 c to function as an anchor so as to secure the devicepackage 20 firmly in place within the blister tray 10 in instances whenthe blister tray 10 is accidentally tilted or inverted and when theholding tab 114 is pulled. The end flaps 112 of the device package 20are sized and shaped to collapse if the device package 20 is pulled outof the blister tray 10 at a sufficient force.

[0042] It should be appreciated the above-mentioned steps do not have tooccur in the order indicated. For instance, the step of folding thefoldable section 116 about the fold lines 118 a-b can occur afterinserting the device package 20 within the blister tray 10 and afterfolding the ends flaps 112 of the device package 20 upward.

[0043] It should be appreciated that the device package 20 providesnumerous advantages. For instance, the device package 20 can hold thevessel inverter 22 to be incorporated into the formed blister tray 10,can be easily assembled, and can be easily arranged within the formedblister tray 10. As is evident from the description above, the devicepackage 20 can be inserted into the existing recess 40 b in the blistertray 10 so as to allow an additional medical device (e.g., the vesselinverter 22) to be inserted into the blister tray 10. The vesselinverter 22 can be removed from the device package 20 regardless ofwhether the device package 20 is anchored in the blister tray 10 andbefore the medical devices 12 a-c are deployed. The device package 20 isconfigured such that when it is folded about the fold line 88 a, thevessel inverter 22 can be quickly inserted into the openings 96, 102,108 and such that when the device package 20 is straighten, it locks thevessel inverter 22 in place. The folds and the curve of the devicepackage 20 act as a spring to anchor and hold the vessel inverter 22 inplace. The device package 20 is typically made from paper that hassufficient stiffness to hold the vessel inverter 22 in place therein.Alternatively, the device package 20 can be constructed of anyrelatively stiff material, including paperboard, etc. Adhesives or otherlocking means are not required to anchor the device package 20 withinthe blister tray 10. Cut-out areas, which require paper removal andwhich have correspondingly high manufacturing costs, are not required inthe device package 20. Also, the device package 20 does not have to beattached to the blister tray 10.

[0044] Another exemplary embodiment of the blister tray 10 (see FIG. 2)is illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 whichcorrespond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased bytwo hundred. In addition, elements illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 which donot correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.1-4 have been designated by odd numbered reference numerals startingwith reference number 211. The embodiment of FIGS. 9-11 operates in thesame manner and provides the same advantages as the embodiment of FIGS.1-4, unless it is otherwise stated.

[0045]FIG. 9 shows a blister card 218 prior to being inserted within ablister tray 210 (see FIG. 10). It will be understood that the blistertray 210 is identical to the blister tray 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Theblister card 218 includes a main panel 246 and a retaining panel 248connected thereto. The main panel 246 is subdivided into a front panel250 and a back panel 252. More particularly, the front panel 250 isconnected to the back panel 252 at a first fold line 254 along one edge255 of the front panel 250, and to the retaining panel 248 at a secondfold line 256 along an opposite edge 258 of the front panel 250.Although the front panel 250 and the back panel 252 are connected by thefirst fold line 254, the front panel 250 and the back panel 252 are notfolded about the first fold line 254 when the blister card 218 isinserted within the blister tray 210 as explained in further detailhereinafter. As shown in FIG. 9, the front panel 250 may be selected tohave an approximate length d₁₀₁ measured between the opposing edges 255,258 of the front panel 250.

[0046] Unlike the front panel 50 (see FIG. 2) described above, the frontpanel 250 includes a pair of tabs 211 positioned distal to the firstfold line 254. The retaining panel 248 is positioned between the tabs211 and is sized and shaped to pivot about the second fold line 256.When the retaining panel 248 pivots about the second fold line 256, anopening 213 is formed between the tabs 211 of the front panel 250. Asdescribed in further detail hereinafter, the tabs 211 of the front panel250 are sized and shaped to bias the main panel 246 toward the blistertray 210 after the blister card 218 is inserted therewith.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the back panel 252 has an edge 259adjacent the first fold line 254 and an opposite edge 260 defined by apair of tabs 261 positioned distal to the first fold line 254. The tabs261 of the back panel 252 are separated by an opening 262. As describedin further detail hereinafter, the tabs 261 of the back panel 252 aresized and shaped to bias the main panel 246 toward the blister tray 210after the blister card 218 is inserted therewith. Still referring toFIG. 9, the back panel 252 may be selected to have an approximate lengthd₁₀₂ measured between the edge 259 and the opening 262 of the back panel252, while the back panel 252 may be selected to have an approximatelength d₁₀₃ measured between the opposing edges 259, 260 of the backpanel 252. Each of the lengths d₁₀₁, d₁₀₂, d₁₀₃ has a value, such thatd₁₀₁>d₁₀₃>d₁₀₂.

[0048] Like the main panel 46 (see FIG. 2), the main panel 246 alsoincludes graphics and/or indicia 266 printed thereon for aiding andserving as a quick reminder to medical personnel on how to perform oneor more common tasks pertaining to medical devices 212 a-c contained inthe blister tray 210.

[0049] Still referring to FIG. 9, the retaining panel 248 is subdividedinto a long panel 268 and a flap 270. More particularly, the long panel268 is connected to the front panel 250 at the second fold line 256along one edge 271 of the long panel 268, and to the flap 270 at a thirdfold line 272 along an opposite edge 273 of the long panel 268. The flap270 has an edge 274 adjacent the third fold line 272 and an oppositeedge 275 positioned distal to the third fold line 272.

[0050] The main panel 246 of the blister card 218 has a length, measuredbetween the tabs 261 of the back panel 252 and the tabs 211 of the frontpanel 250, which approximates the width of the blister tray 210 measuredbetween longitudinal sides 234 a-b of the blister tray 210.

[0051] The following description will describe the insertion of theblister card 218 within the blister tray 210 as illustrated in FIG. 11.Initially, the blister card 218 is inserted within the blister tray 210by folding the retaining panel 248 about the second fold line 256 andpositioning the retaining panel 248 below the medical devices 212 a-bsuch that the flap 270 extends beyond the medical device 212 b. Thefront panel 250 and the back panel 252 are positioned directly above themedical devices 212 a-c such that the tabs 211 of the front panel 250and the tabs 261 of the back panel 252 are positioned adjacent theopposing longitudinal sides 234 a-b of the outer peripheral rim 224 andon the inner peripheral ledge 226 of the blister tray 210. In thisposition, the main panel 246 covers a recess 240 b formed in the blistertray 210. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the front panel 250 and the backpanel 252 are not folded about the first fold line 254.

[0052] After the blister card 218 is inserted within the blister tray210, the tabs 211 of the front panel 250 and the tabs 261 of the backpanel 252 function to hold the blister card 218 in a planar orientationrelative to the blister tray 210, while also biasing the main panel 246toward the blister tray 210 without folding. The main panel 246functions to bias the front panel 250 and the back panel 252 toward theblister tray 210.

[0053] It should be noted that the present invention can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, while the present inventionhas been described herein in conjunction with the blister tray 10, 210,the blister card 18, 218 and the device package 20 can be used inconnection with other blister trays. Also, while the device package 20has been described herein to hold the vessel inverter 22, the devicepackage 20 can hold other types of medical devices.

[0054] It will be understood that the embodiment described herein ismerely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make manyvariations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. All such variations and modifications, including thosediscussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A kit, comprising: a blister tray having afirst medical device contained therein; and a package sized and shapedto contain a second medical device and insertable within said blistertray, a portion of said package engageable with said first medicaldevice such that said first medical device inhibits the removal of saidpackage.
 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said portion of said packageincludes a pair of flaps engageable with said first medical device. 3.The kit of claim 2, wherein said first medical device and said secondmedical device are aligned in said blister tray such that said firstmedical device is positioned substantially perpendicular to said secondmedical device contained by said package.
 4. The kit of claim 3, whereinsaid first medical device and said second medical device are aligned insaid blister tray such that a portion of said second medical device ispositioned under said first medical device.
 5. The kit of claim 4,wherein said second medical device includes a tip, said portion of saidsecond medical device includes said tip.
 6. The kit of claim 5, whereinsaid package includes a holding area sized and shaped to allow removalof said package from said blister tray.
 7. The kit of claim 6, whereinsaid package is aligned in said blister tray such that said firstmedical device is positioned between said flaps and said holding area.8. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a blister card sized andshaped to be inserted within said blister tray, said blister cardincluding indicia printed thereon relating to said first medical device.9. A package made from a planar sheet, comprising: a first foldablepanel including a first fold line and a second fold line positioned onone side of said first fold line, a main section positioned on anopposite side of said first fold line, and a center section positionedbetween said first fold line and said second fold line, said mainsection having a first slit that forms a retaining portion moveable suchthat said retaining portion extends outwardly from said main section soas to create a first opening in said first panel, and a second slit thatforms a first base moveable such that said first base extends outwardlyfrom one side of said first panel so as to create a second openingtherein, said center section having a third slit that forms a secondbase moveable such that said second base extends outwardly from said oneside of said first panel so as to create a third opening therein, saidfirst opening and said second opening being aligned with each other whensaid first panel is folded about said first fold line such that saidfirst base is adjacent to said second base, and said third openingcooperating with said first and second openings, when they are alignedwith each other, to form a receptacle for a medical device.
 10. Thepackage of claim 9, wherein said first foldable panel further includesan anchor section adjacent to said center section, said anchor sectionincluding a pair of end flaps engageable with a medical device containedin a blister tray.
 11. The package of claim 10, further comprising asecond foldable panel connected to said first foldable panel, saidsecond foldable panel including a third fold line and a fourth fold linepositioned on one side of said third fold line, a holding tab positionedon an opposite side of said third fold line, and a sub-panel positionedbetween said third fold line and said fourth fold line.
 12. The packageof claim 11, wherein said first foldable panel has a first width andsaid second foldable panel has a second width, said first width beinglarger than said second width.